Freedom
This freedom of speech, how do you defend it
is it so close to your heart that you need to befriend it
dignified silence, jettisoned, forgotten
views contrary, sullied, putrid and rotten
It’s true, everyone has their own secret sadness
for you to have to explain all you see in this madness
to philosophise this disgrace that you need off your chest
and put down or shout out all those views you detest
This freedom to confirm the oppositions you hold
does it make you feel vindicated, righteous or bold
does it trouble you so deeply, that others don’t see it
for what you see clearly, to make you decree it
What is it exactly, that you wish to espouse
I don’t understand, this insight you house
perhaps for us both, in this freedom you quote
please write it down for me, in a kind, friendly note
Can you help me define what this freedom means
so that I can walk safely through the various scenes
I’d like to be guided lest I stumble on hate
so that I am confident to one day approach heaven’s gate
If I read it right there’s no freedom at all
in making others look short so you can make yourself tall
I’m seeing freedom in letting others just be
and what they believe don’t much matter to me.
© copyright – Stephen Newman 2019